Canada-India looking at CEPA; Conversations to start next week: Piyush Goyal

November 28, 2025

Atmanirbhar Bharat today has become a collective national mission, with every Indian contributing to this vision

• ‘PESTLE’ defines India’s growth story with strong Political frameworks; Economic policies; Societal impact; Technology; Legal framework and Environment

NEW DELHI, 28 November 2025: Mr Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Govt of India today said that Prime Minister Modi brought the vision of self-reliance to the center of India's economic progress. “Atmanirbhar Bharat has now become a collective national mission, with every Indian contributing in their own way to this vision and journey,” he added.

Addressing the FICCI’s 98th Annual General Meeting and Annual Convention, Mr Goyal said that India has already concluded a very balanced, robust, fair and equitable agreements with Australia, UAE, Mauritius, UK, the 4 nation EFTA group. “At this point of time we are in talks with 14 group of countries collectively representing around 50 countries of the world. Our focus is on countries of significance where we complement each other. We are talking to Oman while Bahrain and Qatar want to enter into negotiations with India along with the GCC countries. We are also talking to New Zealand, simultaneously with Australia on second stage agreement,” he added.

Mr Goyal further stated that we are reviewing ASEAN and Korea FTA to bring more balance. We are also actively in discussion with the US and 27 nation European Nation. “We have recently started negotiations with Eurasia and working to start negotiations very quickly with Israel with whom Terms of Reference was finalized last week. Canada and India are looking at CEPA and next week we will kickstart conversation around that,” he added.

The Minister stated that in India’s growth story, self-reliance will be at the core. Prime Minister Modi has proved that the betterment of economy can also be the basis of politics, and this is evident from the recent Free Trade Agreements which India has signed or currently working on with other developed nations. “What you (industry) represent is a ‘PESTLE’ which includes ‘P’ with political situation with strong decisive leadership; ‘E’ with economic policies; ‘S’ with social fabric of the country with young population; ‘T’ standing for technological prowess of India with a focus on newer technologies and R&D and innovation; ‘E’ for environment along with energy self-sufficiency,” he emphasized.

During the event, Minister Goyal also unveiled the FICCI’s 100-year logo and said that over the last 98 years, FICCI is an organization with a proud lineage, founded at the behest of Mahatma Gandhi. And the theme of ‘India: Self-Reliant Economic Powerhouse’, resonates perfectly with Mahatma Gandhi's vision of a self-reliant economic powerhouse.

Mr Goyal also urged FICCI to work with other industry to establish skill centers across India to nurture the young talented population into a skilled workforce for the world. “India’s future depends on its youth,” he added.

Mr Harsha Vardhan Agarwal, President, FICCI said that world-scale manufacturing, bold innovation, empowered youth, and the full participation of women—together, they form the very architecture of India’s self-reliance. “When these pillars stand strong, India does not merely grow; it leads with confidence and purpose. This is India’s moment. Our moment to accelerate. Our moment to transform. Our moment to build a truly Viksit Bharat,” he added.

Mr Anant Goenka, President – Elect, FICCI said that we at FICCI reaffirm our commitment to supporting the government’s reform agenda, and we stand ready to work to prioritize innovation, skilling, ease of doing business, and the effective utilization of various FTAs.

Canada-India looking at CEPA; Conversations to start next week: Piyush Goyal

FICCI Media Division

Releases in the Event:

FICCI's 98th Annual General Meeting and Annual Convention

Nov 28 - Nov 29, 2025 Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi

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